Have A Heart

And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you;
and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh,
and will give them an heart of flesh:
That they may walk in my statutes, and keep mine ordinances, 
and do them:
and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.
(Ezekiel 11:19-20 KJV)

Did you read the whole verse, or just the emphasized “AND DO THEM”?

That’s the part that causes us the most trouble as our hearts are changed.  That’s the part that moves us outside our comfort zone.

I’ve watched my Beloved Husband struggle to breath this week. When he works so hard at it in pain, it raises his blood pressure, weakening him further.  That happens to us, too, when we’re breaking through those barriers we’ve built to keep God away from us. We know the words:

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. (Philippians 4:13 KJV)

Christ knew this, too:

Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. (Mark 9:23 KJV)

He also knew that some things are to be endured:

And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt. (Mark 14:36 KJV)

And, that endurance is worth it for the results that await:

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2 KJV)

This is my Valentine prayer – that each of us may allow Him to remove those stony hearts, create in us clean hearts of flesh that we might serve Him to the very best of His abilities.

God bless your Valentine’s Day, and your favorite valentine.